Council praised for 'above and beyond' social care
PA MediaA council has been praised for its provision of adult social care by a watchdog who cited "many positive findings" during its inspection.
Hartlepool Borough Council was rated "good" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in addressing their responsibilities to ensure people have access to adult social care and support.
Inspectors said they found "strong leaders" and an organisation that is committed to helping residents in the town lead healthier lives, but there were further steps to be taken to support those who don't speak English.
The watchdog "recognised that poverty across Hartlepool is a big issue" and stated that Hartlepool council should be pleased with the findings of the report.
The council was inspected in nine areas by the CQC.
Inspectors looked at how well the authority worked with local people, how effectively it provided support, its leadership, and how it ensured safety in the system.
The authority received an overall score of 70% from the CQC.
A score of 88% would have moved the authority into the "outstanding" category for its provision of adult social care.
Above average
The latest inspection found that 57% of carers in Hartlepool were satisfied with social services - significantly higher than the England average of 36%.
Waiting times for Care Act assessments have reduced from 18 days in June 2024 to 13 days in the most recent report.
The inspector also found there were "effective systems, processes and practices in place to safeguard people from abuse and neglect".
But the report found some people felt that social care documents were long and difficult to read.
It also stated that equipment is not always easily accessible to people with additional sensory needs.
James Bullion, CQC's chief inspector of adult social care, said: "Hartlepool Borough Council should be pleased with the many positive findings in our report and are already building on this with further improvement plans.
"We look forward to returning to see how they have built on these areas of good practice and how their plans mature."